What are you going to be? A Tea Sommelier!...Why?

    Back in October 2011 It had been about a year since I had finished at OCAD U and a year at Teaopia. All of my family over Thanksgiving dinner asked me what I wanted to do now that I had a years experience in the "real world".
      There are so many movies on people my age trying to find out what they want to do. So, instead of finding something else I stuck with tea. That same fall I had joined The Tea Guild of Canada and felt I had a found a long-lost family. Ian from Majesteas urged me to join the board, and I am still with them today. At Teaopia I continued to meet great people at the store in the financial district here in Toronto. Two regulars even joined the Tea Guild the following year.
        February 2012, My co-worker joined The Tea Guild , she turned to me latter that month and proposed we take classes together. Not just any classes, but The Tea Sommelier Program. I had been advised to take them for over a year before but did not know how to go about it.  So I learned how to and began to strengthen my knowledge of tea.After the first class she found she had to move her focus on work and I kept on going with the classes. I even started taking Japanese Tea Ceremony classes during that year.  I let my family know my new focus was to become certified and keep working with tea. At the time it was with Teavana, where I learned how to manage and teach the great staff we had at our stores.
      Fast forwarding to now, I have finished my certification. I am still hearing these questions from family and friends.

What does it mean to "be a Tea Sommelier"?

             In response to this I created the video below to help  you out. Feel free to comment or e-mail me any questions you may have (ps. My website is now up, you can find my e-mail in the contact section at http://www.katherinebellman.com ). I absolutely love questions so at anytime you want a question answered, send it my way, Thank you all.

Shout out to Ian at Majesteas, Tao at Tao Tea Leaf, Carol Savage and the rest of the Tea Guild. I would not be who I am today without you. Thank you so much for supporting me and I hope we can continue to support each other in the future.

How tea effects art for me - 2 Year Anniversary for Tea Journey!

For my TWO year anniversary post I decided to put together a little montage to visually show my growth with Tea since I began consuming tea regularly. To do this I used my own art work as they both grew together over these years. Please enjoy~

First step towards my ink style.  ukiyo-e  with screen printing  ( Abe no Seimei 2008)
Drinking tea regularly and learning new styles around this time. Stopped drinking coffee due to a seizure around Thanksgiving

One of the few first works I have done in ink  at OCAD U  ( Dream or reality 2009)
Regularly looking for new teas in Toronto and regular customer for Davids Tea.

Began to learn other methods of painting with sumi-e ink.
Bought Matcha for the first time and used a fork. Soon after
purchased a chasen to prepare it right. (Fetus Fear 2009)

Purchased first Yixing from Tao Tea leaf. Bought first porcelain gong fu set and a glass gaiwan. Began to understand more about Oolongs and a little about Puerh. Finally moving FAR away from Japanese sencha and genmaicha! Utilized old watercolour skills with Sumi-e, encouraged by thesis professors to  be bolder and less controlling with future work.( Hold 2010, Thesis at OCAD U

Utilized tea in a work for the first time. Visited Majestes regularly for quality teas. And learned of
the Tea Guild of Canada. Joined Summer 2011!

Attained another Yixing from Majesteas. Working for Teaopia for
over a year! Attained more yixings from work. Began tea antique collection
and began to read The Way of Tea. My second tea book after a tea handbook!
Began to work slowly towards the direction I was told to go by professors. Been graduated for over a year.
Started to take Japanese lessons!
(Lace 2011)

Became a Public Relations rep for The Tea Guild of Canada.  Now has too many teas, extensive knowledge
byond what I need for work. Helps out with "World in Your Tea Cup" Event! Great fun.
Now has too much tea ware (no such thing!) and too much tea (blasphemy!).
Began to experiment more with "tea" as tone. (Hair 2011)

Brings tea where ever I go practically! Creating many entries on tea to Tea Journey!
Reviewed Do Matcha! Made more tea friends at the Guild, two I knew from work. Encouraged a co-worker to join Guild!
Began Tea Sommelier classes, been taking Chanoyu classes when able (I love to learn!). Working on promotional materials for the Guild!
Me working in the back in a Sumi-e workshop at the JCCC in March  2012

Tried some amazing teas at Majesteas and Tao Tea Leaf for Spring!
Learning more about processing of teas in the process outside of class. Been
 supporting The Global Tea Hut since February! Enjoying the large selection of spring teas
 and refined taste of my pickings~ My chop for new work, It says " Guren" Crimson Lotus.
I will have it by next week! I picked these characters as my hair is red and the lotus symbolizes
 growth for me. Growing out of the mud and into the world as a flower.

Been with Teaopia for 2 years (June 10th 2012) and have had Tea Journey for
just as long. Now I work for Teavana, and hope to grow some more as a  茶 人 (Tea person), Artist and as an individual in
general.  I truely hope to meet more wonderful tea people and have long lasting
 friendships (Tiffany, Grace, Kingkoh,
Brooke  etc <3 Love you all!) I will be meeting with the Guild
board this summer to plan out fall meetings. I can not wait to get things rolling~
  I am on my second tea class
and I am having one more before I start my super summer. After that third class I am
 about half way done the program.
Certification exam to follow there after and my N5 exam for Japanese Proficiency as well!
"Sheng Nong" in progress for 2012!

  

Teaopia - PROSPERITEA DRAGON PACK

 
   A new set has been released from work in celebration of the Chinese New Year. As it happens to be the year of the dragon, head office has come up with this commemorative set.
     It has 100g in total split between the tins. The teas are Green Dragon (Green Oolong), Red Dragon ( Dark Oolong), Dragon Eyes (Jasmine Green Tea) and Dragon well (Green Tea).
      The company has the following description on the website:

"In celebration of Chinese New Year, Teaopia has curated a hand selected collection of our finest teas to commemorate year of the dragon. The dragon is the mightiest of the Chinese Zodiac signs. The symbol dates back to 3,000 BC ,and is admired for it’s uniqueness, beauty and auspicious powers. This beautiful set comes with 4 Dragon inspired teas including two specialty teas. "

   Over the next while I am going to do small tastings in a gaiwan of each tea. This is in preparation of my commencement of the Tea  Sommelier  Program at George Brown College in the spring. My aim is to broaden my pallet. Each tasting will be done along side with Teaopia description of the teas, which is printed on the back of the box. I hope to "look" for these notes that they have found and at the same time find my own description for them. Till then じゃね！

New Tea Book!

    This afternoon we received a shipment of the new tea booklet. I am overjoyed to make this post because of all the useful information for anyone interested in tea, great for beginners and for those of us that need a refresher.
    The cover is thick and sturdy, all the images are well taken. Another bonus (especially at family dinners) is all the prices are included. Explanation of how a tea comes to be make me so happy, I find it hard to explain to those new to tea about Oolongs. Tea region map makes it simple to show everyone where all major types come from.
     Comparisons between tea bags and loose leaf tea, and bottled tea vs. Loose leaf. To top it all off we have a letter from (My boss) David Bellisario who is President and founder of the company.
   This year has brought a lot of changes for the company. Tea cafes, new teas and line of products.  I am eager to see what is next for this growing company.
      To show you the tea book, the image to the left is linked to a digital copy that will open in a new window. Enjoy~

Holiday Gift Guide

Click the image to see the GUIDE

     As we are getting closer and closer to December I found it time to inform my readers about this guide. Inside there is a full and complete list of all the new products Teaopia has obtained for your holiday needs. Everything from hostess gifts to teacher gifts and at every price point.  As one of the many employees for this Canadian company I am very proud to help everyone who comes in gift hunting or even looking for a little something for themselves. 

                    I have included images of the new additions to our gift collection, these are but a few of the new pieces we carry.    Starting from the far left we have the Kids Tea Set. This set has an adorable small tea pot with a built in filter and four cups with saucers. I love the fruit design that was chosen to accent them all.  Next, the new Matcha Set.  It comes with raku made chawan (tea bowl) and whisk holder, a 100 pronged bamboo whisk (chasen) , beautifully illustarated instructions and a bamboo scoop (chasaku). I have had the pleasure to meet someone who purchased the set in Alberta, she loves her lattes. Finally, The Hostess Gift. Really great for newbies or seasoned tea drinkers. It has card with instructions, rock sugar, basket infuser and four teas. Marrakesh Mint green tea, Burbon Vanilla black tea, Plum Oolong, and Solie De Provence white tea. 
 The best thing about these three are you can use them anywhere; office, home or even outside. Just add water~ Till next time.

Matcha Set

Hostess Gift

Kids Tea Set

Toronto’s Tea Takeover- Eye Weekly Article Review

Image Copyright: EyeWeekly

EYE WEEKLY
In the current issue of Eye Weekly they have covered the very evident tea renaissance of Toronto.
Took them long enough to notice the large amount of shops that opened over the last year. They stated that every 6 weeks a new one opened over last summer. One of those being Majesteas just south of my Riverdale home.
Their focus was mostly on Davids Tea, leaving out Tsaa and barely mentioning others (Majesteas, Tao Tea Leaf, House of Tea, Tea Emporium etc). I can understand the focus since Teaopia (My work) has been hidden along the Path inside the Scotia Plaza for 3 years now. The path is difficult to navigate when you are not used to the signs or maps. Only a short mention about David Bellisario, who owns Teaopia, in a single paragraph about his start in Mississauga.
It is nice to start with Davids (Segal)since it was on Queen Street they made their debut, but my location has been in Toronto for a much longer time. I wish the writer had thrown together a small list of the shops and gave reviews of them, as there is little to be seen on the Best of Toronto web page for Tea.
In all, the article was information on the background of Teaopia as well as other tea houses. Especially their starting point as I wish to own a small shop that will be inside my gallery in the future. Or perhaps even talk to either David about having a mini shop with in it (Or any of my new tea friends, any takers?). The options are there, only the future can tell. My question for you is what will happen to all the coffee shops with the tea-boom in this generation?

** Update: Also Teaopia is an older company. Having started in 2005 while Davids started in 2008, from what I have been told.  How will this turn around will the T-Cafe's Teaopia is opening?  So far it is a hit, I have had majority of the regulars come in talking about the service being amazing. (13/10/2011)

Tea and Stress

A bit after my last post, last Tuesday, there was a fire at my building. Dispite everything I have been pulling through quite well. I technically have no home and yet I am fine with all this. What has been keeping me going has been strangely Teaopia, or rather tea itself. Dispite what happens I know I can go to work Monday to Friday and have a warm comforting cup of tea. Black, green, white, oolong, tisstanes, Mate or Rooibos.
Does not matter which I turn to total relaxation comes with it. I have read a lot about tea over the last while. Each stating that it does something good or something bad. Health benefits or downsides. Etc etc.
I believe that if I did not have tea on hand I would fall apart. Does anyone feel the same out there?

SUMATRA HIGHLAND CHIN CHIN - Teaopia

Company Description: This Indonesian Oolong is oxidized very tenderly providing the tea with a very fruity flavour. If you are new to Oolong tea the Sumatra Highland Chin Chin is great for beginners and is perfect any time of day.
Liquour: Golden honey yellow

Infusion 1: Strong smell of shrimp crackers (krupuk) in the tea.White peach, apple, sweet and full bodied taste. Leaves smell sweet and flowery.
Infusion 2: Leaves smell like sweet baked bread. Warm honey on bread smelling infusion. Apple juice and cinnamon,milk, warm and full bodied taste lingers.
Infusion 3:Fadeing smell of krupuk and more frsh bread small. Honey and apple tase.Leves smell like warm honey.
Infusion 4:

Notes: Been debateing doing full tasteings for a while, this will be the first of many. The many things that remind me of my own conections to Indonesia come through in the tea. Nasi goreng rice, the spices, stories etc. This is the first tea I have tried from Sumatra and I wish to try more after this. I used a gaiwan as oposed to the Teamaster at work, the full flavor is killed when it is brewed in those plastic devices. This Oolong has earned a place in my tea cubord and will be getting a Yixing dedicated to it quite soon. I just need to decide where to get one. Work or pay a visit to Tao Tea Leaf. We will see what happens. I will be trying different teas often from not only work but other tea houses in the area and Davids Tea which is much like Teaopia in style. Look forward to it. I know I am. <3>

Been 4 months

Been working at Teaopia for four whole months now and I have adjusted my consumption of tea and tistanes so that I can enjoy tea when I get home. We actually got a new line of products which ,after some reaserch, make me happy to beable to sell to customers.


Bai Mai specializes in Celedon tecnique. The whole company is fair trade which goes along side with the fair trade trend. Their website says

"The first Bai Mai collection consists of a range of teapots with matching cups. The contemporary designs still reflect the authentic Thai characteristics. The products are made by hand, using the ancient Celadon glazing technique. Bai Mai ceramics uses natural ingredients like wood ash and clay from the rice paddies. It is fired for 10 hours at extreme temperatures, creating the typical crackled effect of the glaze. Bai Mai is Thai for ‘Tree Leaf’ and reflects the natural relationship of the brand with its environment. "

The creamic peices are smooth to the touch and there seems to be no flaws. Although the "Oriental 21" tea pots smell strange. A co-worker described it as a chemical smell. We were inspecting the black version so it could be just that one.
Either way this new line should be on everyones list to check out for this comming holiday season.

So many teas and not enough space

So I moved to my new place... only problem I am looking at my box of teas and tea ware, and there seems to be a lack of space for both. I am at a loss of what to do to acomidate for such a terrible disaster.
Although the cubords are still drying so for all I know the space is there and I just don't know it yet <3 Work is treating me quite well. I finished reading "The Tea Classic" this evening, which resulted in me wanting to read I-ching to get a better understanding of what he is talking about. As well as get out my Yixing pots and brew up some Oolong tea.
I will try to get somekind of place for my tea ware and find a palce for a tea table area as well. Things are missing. I may need to get my Dad to take me back home to locate some things I require to live in here. My futon being on that list, hopefully he can fix it soon and I can just aquire the folding coffee table I have been eyeing.

Anyhow. I have drank most of the Rooibos "teas" at work and I'm going to be brave and finish them tommorow along with some Oolongs (I think I have one left to try).
      I visited another tea shop in toronto a while back, but before I review it I want to go back for another visit since it has been a while. Look forward to it.

I'm going to turn in for the night. Best to all.

Questions asked of Teaopia

I sent the following to the Teaopia "Tea master" last night and got a response this morning.

Tea master,

1. Is the Tea Master safe? Plastic when heated can leak chemicals into food and in this case tea.

2. I have read that tea is not caffeine free. Despite manufacturer's attempt to make it so, there is still caffeine. Is this true?

3. Teaopia sells a lot of traditional tea ware, online and in store. Will you on day offer small seminars on how these are used? Especially the Yixing pots which from reading online it seems it needs to be seasoned extensively.

4. When getting a drink at a Teaopia location I over heard that you are a Canadian chain. Why is it not present in the store or online?

Looking forward to your answers.

Their answer is as so:

Hi Kat,

Thank you for contacting Teaopia.

1) Yes our Tea Master is safe to use and is BPA free.

2) Yes all real "tea" contains caffeine that includes, White Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea and Black Tea. However, the caffeine content is significantly less than coffee (60-120 mg compared to 25-34mg in tea). While the caffeine levels in tea vary depending on the blend and how long it is brewed, the average cup contains only 25-34mg of caffeine. This is great news for tea lovers, or those who are looking to make the switch from other beverages to the health smart choice of tea, because according to Health Canada’s guidelines you can consume approximately 10-12 cups of tea every day!

3) At this time I have not been made aware of any plans to introduce seminars at Teaopia. I do have some interesting information about Yixing including how to properly season the pot if you are interested I would be more than happy to pass it along to you.

4) Yes we are a proudly Canadian owned and operated company. I will be sure to mention to the appropriate people that perhaps we should have this better advertised to our customers!

Thank you so much for taking the time to email us. I sincerely hope you are enjoying our store as well as our teas!

Have a great day and take the time to enjoy "The Perfect Cup of Tea"

Elise

Director of Communications

Teaopia

   This is great to hear that the Teamaster is safe to use and learn a new other things about tea as well.
Go out and support Canadian companies!

Teaopia- new job

I have decided to start logging my finds of tea shops and journey as I study tea this morning. I start work at Teaopia and hope that I can help others through their journey through the culture and history surrounding tea.
This is day one of my journey , as it will be preparation for my first day of being totally consumed by tea on a daily basis. I am awaiting a call from the library about "The Story of Tea" and "The Tea Classic". The first is one which I know my coworkers may have read and the second is more so for myself as it is by my favorite "Immortal" Lu Yu- "The Immortal of Tea". I hope to read other books as well especially Aaron Fisher's newest book which I am going to order once I am settled into my new habitat.

Just a bit about myself. I am a recent graduate from OCAD University in Toronto, with a BFA in Fine Arts. Majoring in Drawing and Painting with a minor in Art History. My work recently has been infused with zen which comes from my consumption of tea on a regular basis. I drink more tea than anyone I know offline and often get the "what is that?" asked of me when I am lugging my glass tea tumbler around full of freshly brewed tea from full leaf tea.
Back home I tended to stick with bagged tea , that was till a full leaf tea shop opened in 2005 or 2006. I am good friends with the owner and have struggled to consume each tea she has to offer (currently at over 180 teas when I last visited, there goes my goal). Since my first pot of full leaf tea and my purchase of a bag of sencha, I have not been able to stop myself from trying new varieties and brands.
My tea ware collection has grown over last summer. From a single tea pot I had no knowledge of to having a glass gaiwan, yixing pot, matcha bowl, whisk, tea tray , utensil set etc. It is worrying that I have also turned a small dresser into my "tea chest" which is full of mostly teas and all of my tea ware (what I can fit in there at least).
I shall end this first post here as I wish to enjoy a new discovery of both tea and a shop which I will post more about latter.
best,
Kat

Edit: Here is a picture from fall 2010